Wood Betony
Pedicularis canadensis

Wood Betony is an early-blooming perennial that grows in clumps. It is partially parasitic, tapping into the root systems of neighboring plants for nutrients (this typically does not kill surrounding plants). An important nectar source for early-emerging pollinators, including queen bumblebees.

USDA symbol: PECA

General Information

Plant Type	Forb
Height	1 foot
Light Exposure	Sun, Part Sun
Soil Moisture	Dry, Medium
Bloom Color	Yellow, Red

Wood Betony (Wood Betony<div><em class="small">Pedicularis canadensis</em></div>) — Photo credit: Minnesota Wildflowers (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation Tolerance	Low
General Resilience	7
Salt Tolerance	None
Stress Tolerance	Fire Tolerant

Pollinator Value: High

Bloom Months	April to May
Pollinator Benefit	Insect Pollinated, Provides Nectar, Supports Specialists

Project Planning

Project Type	Rain Garden, Restoration
Coefficient of Conservatism	7
Herbivore Sensitivity	Low
Lifespan	Perennial
Rate of Spread	Medium
Soil Stabilization	Shallow
Vegetative Reproduction	Clonal

Range

County	Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Cass, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Lac qui Parle, Lake, Lincoln, Lyon, Mahnomen, Marshall, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Pipestone, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Wilkin, Winona, Yellow Medicine
Ecoregion	Driftless Area, Lake Agassiz Plain, North Central Hardwood Forests, Northern Glaciated Plains, Northern Lakes and Forests, Northern Minnesota Wetlands, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco Province	Eastern Broadleaf Forest, Laurentian Mixed Forest, Prairie Parkland, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands